Chapter 14: Introducing Arrays 385

To add the three smallest values, you could use a formula like this:

=SUM(SMALL(Data,1), SMALL(Data,2), SMALL(Data,3)

This formula works fine, but using an array formula is more efficient. The following array formula
returns the sum of the three smallest values in a range named Data:

{=SUM(SMALL(Data,{1,2,3}))}

The formula uses an array constant as the second argument for the SMALL function. This gener-
ates a new array, which consists of the three smallest values in the range. This array is then
passed to the SUM function, which returns the sum of the values in the new array.
Figure 14-14 shows an example in which the range A1:A10 is named Data. The SMALL function is
evaluated three times, each time with a different second argument. The first time, the SMALL
function has a second argument of 1, and it returns –5. The second time, the second argument for
the SMALL function is 2, and it returns 0 (the second-smallest value in the range). The third time,
the SMALL function has a second argument of 3, and returns the third-smallest value of 2.

Figure 14-14: An array formula returns the sum of the three smallest values in A1:A10.

Therefore, the array that’s passed to the SUM function is

{–5,0,2)

The formula returns the sum of the array (–3).

Counting text cells in a range

Suppose that you need to count the number of text cells in a range. The COUNTIF function seems
like it might be useful for this task — but it’s not. COUNTIF is useful only if you need to count val-
ues in a range that meet some criterion (for example, values greater than 12).

21_475362-ch14.indd 385 4/14/10 10:16 PM

 386 Part IV: Array Formulas

To count the number of text cells in a range, you need an array formula. The following array for-
mula uses the IF function to examine each cell in a range. It then creates a new array (of the same
size and dimensions as the original range) that consists of 1s and 0s, depending on whether the
cell contains text. This new array is then passed to the SUM function, which returns the sum of
the items in the array. The result is a count of the number of text cells in the range.

{=SUM(IF(ISTEXT(A1:D5),1,0))}

This general array formula type (that is, an IF function nested in a SUM function) is very
useful for counting. Refer to Chapter 7 for additional examples.

Figure 14-15 shows an example of the preceding formula in cell C7. The array created by the IF
function is as follows:

{0,1,1,1;1,0,0,0;1,0,0,0;1,0,0,0;1,0,0,0}

Figure 14-15: An array formula returns the number of text cells in the range.

Notice that this array contains four rows of three elements (the same dimensions as the range).
A variation on this formula follows:
{=SUM(ISTEXT(A1:D5)*1)}

This formula eliminates the need for the IF function and takes advantage of the fact that

TRUE * 1 = 1

and

FALSE * 1 = 0

21_475362-ch14.indd 386 4/14/10 10:16 PM

 Chapter 14: Introducing Arrays 387

TRUE and FALSE in array formulas

When your arrays return Boolean values (TRUE or FALSE), you must coerce these Boolean val-
ues into numbers. Excel’s SUM function ignores Booleans, but you can still perform mathematical
operations on them. In Excel, TRUE is equivalent to a value of 1, and FALSE is equivalent to a
value of 0. Converting TRUE and FALSE to these values ensures the SUM function treats them
appropriately.
You can use three mathematical operations to convert TRUE and FALSE to numbers without
changing their values, called identity operations.
● Multiply by 1: (x * 1 = x)
● Add zero: (x + 0 = x)
● Double negative: (–– x = x)
Applying any of these operations to a Boolean value will cause Excel to convert it to a number.
The following formulas all return the same answer:
{=SUM(ISTEXT(A1:D5)*1)}
{=SUM(ISTEXT(A1:D5)+0)}
{=SUM(--ISTEXT(A1:D5))}

There is no “best” way to convert Boolean values to numbers. Pick a method that you like and
use that. However, be aware of all three methods so that you can identify them in other people’s
spreadsheets.

Eliminating intermediate formulas

One of the main benefits of using an array formula is that you can eliminate intermediate formu-
las in your worksheet. This makes your worksheet more compact and eliminates the need to dis-
play irrelevant calculations. Figure 14-16 shows a worksheet that contains pre-test and post-test
scores for students. Column D contains formulas that calculate the changes between the pre-test
and the post-test scores. Cell D17 contains the following formula, which calculates the average of
the values in column D:

=AVERAGE(D2:D15)

With an array formula, you can eliminate column D. The following array formula calculates the
average of the changes but does not require the formulas in column D:

{=AVERAGE(C2:C15-B2:B15)}

21_475362-ch14.indd 387 4/14/10 10:16 PM

 388 Part IV: Array Formulas

Figure 14-16: Without an array formula, calculating the average change requires intermediate formulas in
column D.

How does it work? The formula uses two arrays, the values of which are stored in two ranges
(B2:B15 and C2:C15). The formula creates a new array that consists of the differences between
each corresponding element in the other arrays. This new array is stored in Excel’s memory, not in
a range. The AVERAGE function then uses this new array as its argument and returns the result.
The new array consists of the following elements:

{11,15,–6,1,19,2,0,7,15,1,8,23,21,–11}

The formula, therefore, is reduced to the following:

=AVERAGE({11,15,–6,1,19,2,0,7,15,1,8,23,21,–11})

Excel evaluates the function and displays the result, 7.57.

You can use additional array formulas to calculate other measures for the data in this example.
For instance, the following array formula returns the largest change (that is, the greatest
improvement). This formula returns 23, which represents Linda’s test scores:

{=MAX(C2:C15-B2:B15)}

The following array formula returns the smallest change (that is, the least improvement). This for-
mula returns –11, which represents Nancy’s test scores:

{=MIN(C2:C15–B2:B15)}

21_475362-ch14.indd 388 4/14/10 10:16 PM

 Chapter 14: Introducing Arrays 389

Using an array in lieu of a range reference

If your formula uses a function that requires a range reference, you may be able to replace that
range reference with an array constant. This is useful in situations in which the values in the refer-
enced range do not change.

A notable exception to using an array constant in place of a range reference in a func-

tion is with the database functions that use a reference to a criteria range (for example,
DSUM). Unfortunately, using an array constant instead of a reference to a criteria range
does not work.

Figure 14-17 shows a worksheet that uses a lookup table to display a word that corresponds to an
integer. For example, looking up a value of 9 returns Nine from the lookup table in D1:E10. The
formula in cell C1 is

=VLOOKUP(B1,D1:E10,2,FALSE)

Figure 14-17: You can replace the lookup table in D1:E10 with an array constant.

You can use a two-dimensional array in place of the lookup range. The following formula returns
the same result as the previous formula, but it does not require the lookup range in D1:E1:

=VLOOKUP(B1,{1,”One”;2,”Two”;3,”Three”;4,”Four”;5,”Five”;
6,”Six”;7,”Seven”;8,”Eight”;9,”Nine”;10,”Ten”},2,FALSE)

21_475362-ch14.indd 389 4/14/10 10:16 PM